Omar Bongo University

About: Omar Bongo University is a education organization based out in Libreville, Gabon. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Computer science & Biology. The organization has 14 authors who have published 14 publications receiving 377 citations. The organization is also known as: Omar-Bongo University & National University of Gabon.

Toward a dialect theory: cultural differences in the expression and recognition of posed facial expressions.

Abstract: Two studies provided direct support for a recently proposed dialect theory of communicating emotion, positing that expressive displays show cultural variations similar to linguistic dialects, thereby decreasing accurate recognition by out-group members. In Study 1, 60 participants from Quebec and Gabon posed facial expressions. Dialects, in the form of activating different muscles for the same expressions, emerged most clearly for serenity, shame, and contempt and also for anger, sadness, surprise, and happiness, but not for fear, disgust, or embarrassment. In Study 2, Quebecois and Gabonese participants judged these stimuli and stimuli standardized to erase cultural dialects. As predicted, an in-group advantage emerged for nonstandardized expressions only and most strongly for expressions with greater regional dialects, according to Study 1.

The Duchenne Marker is Not a Universal Signal of Smile Authenticity – But it Can Be Learned!

Abstract: The Duchenne marker has been proposed as a universal marker of smile authenticity. However, Elfenbein, Beaupre, Levesque, and Hess (2007) found that, whereas Canadians typically show the Duchenne marker when posing happiness, Gabonese do not. We therefore investigated whether the Duchenne marker is perceived as a marker of smile authenticity by Gabonese and by Mainland Chinese living in Quebec, Canada. The results show that Gabonese do not use the Duchenne marker to assess smile authenticity at all. Mainland Chinese immigrants to Quebec showed sensitivity to the Duchenne marker only when judging smiles by French-Canadian encoders, suggesting learning of the use of this cultural dialect through cultural exposure. In sum, the use of Duchenne marker is not universal, but rather limited to certain cultures.

Tuberculosis of the lower cervical spine (C3-C7) in adults: diagnostic and surgical aspects.

Abstract: From 1976 to 1992, 160 cases of tuberculosis of the spine were treated at Jeanne Ebori Medical Center (Gabon); among whom 10 were localized to the lower cervical spine (C3–C7). From those 10 cases, 5 concerned children and had a medical treatment, whereas the remaining 5 cases concerned adults and underwent surgery (anterior approach), following an initial three-weeks course of antituberculous therapy. Prominent features of the disease in the 5 adult cases included neck pain and stiffness, neurological deficits and osteolytic erosions with myelographic block. The mean length of follow-up was 32 months (range: 8 to 96 months). All five patients improved their cord function and had a satisfactory bony consolidation.

The relationship among PM2.5, traffic emissions, and socioeconomic status: Evidence from Gabon using low-cost, portable air quality monitors

Abstract: A problem in many cities in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is the absence of air quality monitoring due to the high costs and technical expertise often required. We circumvent these issues by using low-cost, low-maintenance, portable air quality monitors, specifically the Dylos 1700, to observe potential pollution sources and urban PM 2.5 levels in Gabon, a country in the region of Central Africa where no air quality data existed prior. Our study occurred during the dry season between June 29 and July 24, 2015 in Libreville and Port Gentil, the two largest cities in Gabon. We collaborate with local students and government employees to gather data on PM2.5 and pollution sources in a high- and low-income neighborhood and explore differences in exposure by socioeconomic status. Due to possible biases from using the Dylos 1700, we are careful to interpret the quantitative size of these effects or differences and instead focus on their qualitative implications. We find worse air quality levels in the low-income neighborhood and substantial neighborhood variation in PM2.5 associated with traffic in low-income areas, which is in agreement with previous work in SSA. Finally, we provide anecdotal evidence that our monitoring approach and resulting data initiated interest and conversations around PM2.5, its sources and impacts at the local and national level. This suggests that low-cost pollution monitors could be a reasonable intermediary solution and educational tool to collecting air quality information in low- and middle-income countries in SSA where no data exist.

Mangrove carbon stocks in Pongara National Park, Gabon

Abstract: Mangroves are recognized for their valued ecosystem services to coastal areas, and the functional linkages between those services and ecosystem carbon stocks have been established. However, spatially explicit inventories are necessary to facilitate management and protection of mangroves, as well as providing a foundation for payment for ecosystem service programs such as REDD+. We conducted an inventory of carbon stocks in mangroves within Pongara National Park (PNP), Gabon using a stratified random sampling design based on forest canopy height derived from TanDEM-X remote sensing data. Ecosystem carbon pools, including aboveground and belowground biomass and necromass, and soil carbon to a depth of 2 m were assessed using measurements and samples from plots distributed among three canopy height classes within the park. There were two mangrove species within the inventory area in PNP, Rhizophora racemosa and R. harrisonii. R. harrisonii was predominant in the sparse, low-stature stands that dominated the west side of the park. In the east side of the park, both species occurred in tall-stature stands, with tree height often exceeding 30 m. Canopy height was an effective means to stratify the inventory area, as biomass was significantly different among the height classes. Despite those differences in aboveground biomass, the soil carbon density was not significantly different among height classes. Soils were the main component of the ecosystem carbon stock, accounting for over 84% of the total. The ecosystem carbon density ranged from 644 to 943 Mg C ha−1 among the three height classes. The ecosystem carbon stock within PNP is estimated to be 40,588 Gg C. The combination of pre-inventory information about stand conditions and their spatial distribution within the assessment area obtained from remote sensing data and a spatial decision support system were fundamental to implementing this relatively large-scale field inventory. This work exemplifies how mangrove carbon stocks can be quantified to augment national C reporting statistics, provide a baseline for projects involving monitoring, reporting and verification (i.e., MRV), and provide data on the forest composition and structure for sustainable management and conservation practices.